On November 24, 2025, the City of Pasadena awarded the Annual Sewer System Improvements and Capacity Upgrades FY2026 – Clean and CCTV Only Project. The construction is scheduled to commence on May 11, 2026 through December 2026.
Description:
To facilitate a proactive and data-informed approach to system maintenance, the City will undertake a comprehensive, citywide condition assessment. The contract being awarded represents televising approximately one-third of the City's sewer collection system. When sewer rates were last updated, the City established a goal of televising one-seventh of the system each year. However, funding has not been sufficient in recent years to support systematic, citywide televising efforts. As a result, the City is now accelerating the televising program to obtain a complete systemwide condition assessment within approximately three years, which is the minimum time anticipated to complete this work. This approach will allow defects to be identified, and repairs prioritized in a timely manner. The long-term goal remains to televise the entire collection system on a recurring seven-year cycle.
The scope of work includes thorough cleaning of the sewer lines to eliminate debris and blockages, followed by closed-circuit television (CCTV) inspection to evaluate the structural and operational condition of the pipelines. City sewer crews will perform most of the cleaning work necessary to prepare the lines for televising, ensuring efficient use of resources and coordination with the contractor. The data collected will be analyzed to support the planning, design, and implementation of future Citywide Annual Sewer System Improvements and Capacity Upgrade projects. These findings will be instrumental in identifying priority areas for rehabilitation, optimizing resource allocation, and ensuring the long-term performance and resilience of the City's wastewater infrastructure.
Justification:
Although cleaned and repaired on a regular basis, the sewer system is aged and suffers from a variety of defects. Pipes are subject to breakage from wear and tear, ground movement, improper installation, protruding house connections and chemical corrosion. Additionally, capacity and condition upgrades dictated by the Sewer Master Plan will implement improvements to accommodate current and future demands on the system.
Environmental Analysis:
The project has been determined to be categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines in accordance with Title 14, Chapter 3, Article 19, Class 1, §15301, Existing Facilities). Class 1 exempts from environmental review "the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use." There are no features that distinguish this project from others in the exempt class and, therefore, there are no unusual circumstances.
Funding:
This project is primarily utilizing the budgeted appropriations in the Annual Sewer System Improvements and Capacity Upgrades – FY 2022-2026 (76918) project fund.
Contact:
Janina Lyka Baiza – Project Manager
Please contact the Public Works Engineering Division at (626) 744-3703 or jbaiza@cityofpasadena.net.